CHAPTER LV.
Anxieties of Mr. Astor.- Memorial of the Northwest Company- Tidings of a British Naval
Expedition Against Astoria. - Mr. Astor Applies to Government for Protection.- The
Frigate Adams Ordered to be Fitted Out.- Bright News From Astoria.- Sunshine
Suddenly Overclouded.
WHILE difficulties and disasters had been gathering about the infant settlement of
Astoria, the mind of its projector at New York was a prey to great anxiety. The ship
Lark, despatched by him with supplies for the establishment, sailed on the 6th of
March, 1813. Within a fortnight afterwards, he received intelligence which justified all
his apprehensions of hostility on the part of the British. The Northwest Company had
made a second memorial to that government, representing Astoria as an American
establishment, stating the vast scope of its contemplated operations, magnifying the
strength of its fortifications, and expressing their fears that, unless crushed in the bud,
it would effect the downfall of their trade.
Influenced by these representations, the British government ordered the frigate Phoebe
to be detached as a convoy for the armed ship, Isaac Todd, which was ready to sail
with men and munitions for forming a new establishment. They were to proceed
together to the mouth of the Columbia, capture or destroy whatever American fortress
they should find there, and plant the British flag on its ruins.
Informed of these movements, Mr. Astor lost no time in addressing a second letter to
the secretary of state, communicating this intelligence, and requesting it might be laid
before the President; as no notice, however, had been taken of his previous letter, he
contented himself with this simple communication, and made no further application for
aid.
Awakened now to the danger that menaced the establishment at Astoria, and aware of
the importance of protecting this foothold of American commerce and empire on the
shores of the Pacific, the government determined to send the frigate Adams, Captain
Crane, upon this service. On hearing of this determination, Mr. Astor immediately
proceeded to fit out a ship called the Enterprise, to sail in company with the Adams,
freighted with additional supplies and reinforcements for Astoria.
About the middle of June, while in the midst of these preparations, Mr. Astor received a
letter from Mr. R. Stuart, dated St. Louis, May 1st, confirming the intelligence already
received through the public newspapers, of his safe return, and of the arrival of Mr.
Hunt and his party at Astoria, and giving the most flattering accounts of the prosperity
of the enterprise.
So deep had been the anxiety of Mr. Astor, for the success of this object of his
ambition, that this gleam of good news was almost overpowering. "I felt ready," said he,
"to fall upon my knees in a transport of gratitude."
At the same time he heard that the Beaver had made good her voyage from New York
to the Columbia. This was additional ground of hope for the welfare of the little colony.
The post being thus relieved and strengthened, with an American at its head, and a
ship of war about to sail for its protection, the prospect for the future seemed full of
encouragement, and Mr. Astor proceeded with fresh vigor to fit out his merchant ship.
Unfortunately for Astoria, this bright gleam of sunshine was soon overclouded. just as
the Adams had received her complement of men, and the two vessels were ready for
sea, news came from Commodore Chauncey, commanding on Lake Ontario, that a
reinforcement of seamen was wanted in that quarter. The demand was urgent, the crew
of the Adams was immediately transferred to that service, and the ship was laid up.
This was a most ill-timed and discouraging blow, but Mr. Astor would not yet allow
himself to pause in his undertaking. He determined to send the Enterprise to sea alone,
and let her take the chance of making her unprotected way across the ocean. Just at
this time, however, a British force made its appearance off the Hook; and the port of
New York was effectually blockaded. To send a ship to sea under these circumstances,
would be to expose her to almost certain capture. The Enterprise was, therefore,
unloaded and dismantled, and Mr. Astor was obliged to comfort himself with the hope
that the Lark might reach Astoria in safety and, that, aided by her supplies, and by the
good management of Mr. Hunt and his associates, the little colony might be able to
maintain itself until the return of peace.